Blood Ties (15 page)

“Maggie!”

“Maggie?”

“Yes, your assistant. She came over, brought a bottle of wine and a cake; she was really sweet. She insisted on cooking, so she made some chicken with French fries and they were so good, I couldn’t stop. Plus, the cake was brownie with meringue, which is my Achilles’
heel, so I couldn’t turn it down.”

“I see. I’m surprised she came; I mean, you said you two didn’t get along, so I don’t really get it.”

“She said Sandy’s death had shown her how fragile life is, and as she’d learnt I’d had my own accident, she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to let me know that she was worried about me and actually cared a lot for me. Mom and Rod went to bed right after dinner, and we talked until midnight. She was really sweet,” Kelly said, clearly pleased that she was getting a lot of attention.

“I see, I’ll thank her when I see her. She didn’t mention anything this morning; I guess it slipped her mind or something.”

“Maybe, who knows? Anyway, I mentioned my book and Maggie seemed ecstatic at the possibility of reading it. She said she was looking forward to it, but she added she feared Max would try to stop the publishing. Do you know what she was talking about?” Kelly asked, confused.

“I know Max has been trying to talk with me, and I think Maggie mentioned something regarding a meeting, but I’m not sure what it’s about. I guess he isn’t delighted if you’re dishing all the dirt.”

“I’m using pseudonyms and have altered situations. I’ve already been through the legal stuff with Steven, and he said I was safe to publish it, so whatever complaints Max may have, they’re none of my business.”

“Have you spoken with him?”

“Not if I could avoid it. He’s a closed chapter in my life and I have no need or urge to listen to him.”

“Okay; whatever happens during the meeting, if I actually go through with it, I’ll let you know what is discussed.”

“Great. Where’s mom?” Kelly asked, changing the subject, and I was relieved.

“She’s talking with Jared about who knows what,” I replied, grinning.

“Oh, you brought your gorgeous boyfriend along, wonderful! If you break up with him, you should tell him to date me. I’m not that happy about taking your discarded men, but for him, I’ll make an exception!” Kelly said smiling broadly.

“Fine
, I’ll let him know,” I replied, my voice cold as I stood up; I didn’t want to picture my sister with Jared. “I’ll go and fix lunch. Shall we all eat here or can you make it to the dining-table?”

“Well…” Kelly spoke slowly, sighing. “I can make it to the table, though I’d rather not. I don’t want any setbacks in my recovery.”

“Okay, I understand,” I said as I walked towards the kitchen, thinking my lazy sister now had a perfect excuse for staying put.

Once I got to the kitchen, I got vegetables from the corresponding drawer in the fridge and washed them. Then I took a hold of a chopping-board and a knife. I placed the lettuce and spinach leafs in a bowl, sliced tomatoes and onions, added them to the bowl. I chopped mushrooms, blue cheese and ham, added some cottage cheese and salad dressing. With two big salad spoons, I mixed everything.

I was setting up the five trays when Jared joined me; I would have asked him what he’d been talking about with my mom, but she also came in to help me get things ready. Jared smiled at me mischievously and I couldn’t help but smile, albeit confused, back at him.

Rod arrived carrying bags filled with magazines; he’d done everyone a favor, Kelly would be occupied for hours.

At around one, Jared carried Kelly’s tray to her for my mother’s delight, and then we each carried our own. We ate while watching TV; fortunately, Kelly was a bit bored with the gossip show and we agreed to do some zapping. We ended up choosing Scrubs reruns and enjoyed our meal.

“What did you talk about?” I asked Jared as we were placing the dishes in the dishwasher machine.

“That’s between Sara and me; I do not want to break your mother’s trust,” Jared said stoutly.

“Come on!” I whimpered, attempting my begging face; again, all I accomplished was getting him laughing.

“All I’m going to say is, your mom is very happy that I’m in your life, and she just wanted to let me know so. She thinks you look radiant when I’m around you, and is convinced that I’m an excellent addition to your life. She said she was very fond of Caleb, but she’s pleased that you’ve opened up to someone else. That’s the basics of what we talked about.”

“If that’s the basics, I’m not sure I want to know the details.”

“Good, because I’m not going to share them with you!”

“Whatever,” I replied feisty, though
I did want to know what they’d talked about in more specific ways.

We closed the machine and turned it on. I looked at Jared and smiled; he grinned like a five-year-old, simply adorably.

“You know,” he said, moving closer to me, “there’s one part of our relationship we haven’t made public yet.”

“What do you mean?” I asked baffled.

Jared stared at me and smiled. His face moved closer to mine, his lips brushed my forehead, lowered to my cheeks, but before he kissed me, his mouth moved towards my ear. I blushed deep red because I desperately wanted Jared to kiss me but I was extremely embarrassed that he hadn’t done it.

“The expressing our love physically part,” he whispered.

Jared held my face and stared into my eyes. I gulped and breathed unevenly. He certainly knew how to build sexual tension. Jared’s smiling mouth moved closer to mine, and my hands instinctively placed themselves behind his neck. I closed my eyes and felt his lip brush tantalizing against mine.

“Samantha, Jared,” a deep voice startled us apart, “sorry to interrupt, but Steven just called and said there’s an emergency, he’s coming over right now,” Rod said, concern clear in his voice.

“Okay, we’ll wait for him in the living-room,” I replied as I walked out of the kitchen.

Disappointment filled me due to the fact that Jared and I hadn’t managed to kiss. Sadness flowed through me because whatever family serenity there had been would now be gone.

Thinking about the many feelings going through me, I walked to the living-room and sat numbly by my upset mother’s side, and all five of us waited for Steven to arrive.

“Violet Christie, the District Attorney, has informed me they’re pressing charges against Kelly for attempted murder,” Steven said, and gasps were heard all around.

“But I didn’t try to kill anyone! I’m innocent! I’m a victim! Who do they think I tried to kill?” Kelly asked hysterically.

I looked at Jared from the corner of my eye and realized he was studying her body language, analyzing her reactions. By looking at her, I could tell she wasn’t lying. She didn’t look scared because she was caught; Kelly was paralyzed by confusion.

“According to the evidence gathered, it appears you tried to kill Samantha and then staged the bomb in your car to victimize yourself and appear innocent.”

“What?” Kelly screeched; she turned to face me. “I’d never do that Sammy, you know me. I don’t want anybody dead! Why would they think I’m guilty?”

“What’s the evidence?” Rod, ever the reasoning man, asked.

“The materials used for both bombs matched each other as well as the
supplies the investigators found here when they searched the place.”

“But I don’t know how to make bombs! It’s ridiculous!” Kelly defended herself, looking at all of us, trying to convince us in case we thought she was guilty.

“They were home-made bombs, the instructions can be found online. They searched your computer and were unable to find digital traces of websites in which you could come across said information.”

“Then I’m cleared!”

“No, unfortunately Christie claims you could have easily accessed the data through any computer. You could have gone to a cybercafé and there would be no traces due to paying in cash and the lack of personal information given to check websites like the ones in question.”

“But I’ve never been to one of those! I’d rather be dead than caught there by a photographer!”
My sister’s superficial remark made a shitload of sense. Even if it didn’t stand a chance against physical evidence, I knew that what she said was true.

“It doesn’t make a difference Kelly; the bottom line is, the information is available for anyone with a computer and an internet connection, and you’ve got that here as well as
at any friends’ of yours, or at any family members’, or you could even hire someone to print the pages for you. That’s not the point. I’ll do my best to talk things over and try to lessen the media blow. My first recommendation is to cancel the interview you’d set for tomorrow; if the reporter finds out you’re the suspect in your own attempted blowing up, she’ll crush you! The only damage caused will weaken your public image. Trust me, it will be a hell of an effort getting back public credibility if people think the only reason you’re a victim is because you did it to yourself.”

“But I can spin things around to be cast as an even greater sufferer
. I’m innocent, and if I get the audience to believe in my innocence, then the DA will have no choice but to give me a deal or let me go!”

Kelly’s words made no sense to me now; if she was as innocent as she claimed to be, then why would she want to get a deal from Violet? Maybe she was extremely freaked out, or maybe she was guilty.

“Kelly, I can go as far as to advice you what to do or not to do. Whatever decision you make is ultimately yours, but with your family as witness, I’m recommending, hell, I’m even warning you that it’s in your best interest to cancel the interview, are we clear?”

Kelly nodded and sighed.

“What will happen now? I mean, with Kelly’s charges, will she be jailed, can she remain here…” my mom looked at Steven expectantly; she was doing her best to avoid freaking out.

“Given Kelly’s physical state, she’s not at flight risk. Besides, she needs special care that can’t be provided if she’s in jail, so Christie will let her stay here, under house arrest, until she’s either better or a judge decides what the outcome of the case will be.”

“Okay, that doesn’t sound too bad, I was planning on staying put even if I didn’t have the charges against me,” Kelly said, trying to sound optimistic.

“I’ll contact Christie and try to get her to agree to this until the arraignment. Anyway, there’s also news regarding Noel,” Steven stated, looking slightly confident.

“What is it?” Rod asked.

“The murder charges are being dropped due to another one taking place while Noel was under custody.”

“So he’s free to go? That’s great news,” my mom said, showing some relief.

“Unfortunately no, Sara. Noel still has charges on possession of marihuana and cocaine, so I still have to get him out of those. He told
me he’s guilty and he just wants to get this over with quickly. I doubt he’ll get off with a few community service hours and a fine. I’ll try to make a deal with Christie because I doubt a judge or jury will let Noel off the hook easily.”

“Whatever fine he has to pay, I’ll give him the money,” my mom offered desperately.

“Mom!” I replied furiously. “Why don’t you once let him pay for his own fuck-up?”

“Samantha, how can you say that? He’s your brother!”

“I know he is, that’s exactly why I’m telling you, he needs to see that his actions have consequences and that he’s a thirty-year-old man who’s to be held responsible for whatever choices he makes! Noel is an alcoholic who also has drug habits. Isn’t it enough that you, Kelly and Rod pay for his every need and that I pick up after his drinking binges? Stop overprotecting him mom! If he needs to pay, let him work for it!” I finished, truly pissed off.

My mom stared at me shocked, as
did Kelly. Rod looked apprehensive; he knew every word that had come out of my mouth was true, but he hated the fact that my mom would be hurt upon the same realization.

“We’ll discuss that when we get there, okay?” Steven said, dismissing the topic. “As soon as I have any news, I’ll call you. I want to meet Christie immediately to see what she has to offer and what charges will be pressed. Try to stay as calm as possible, and call me if anything else comes up, okay?”

Steven stood up and left.

We sat silently, averting each other’s gaze, finding solace on the walls, floor, ceiling and windows. Jared’s phone rang but, after checking the caller ID, dismissed it. I was
a bit taken aback; I’d thought that if Jared got a call right then, it’d be Aidan. Maybe I was mistaken.

“Sammy, you don’t think I tried to kill you, right?” Kelly broke the silence nervously.

“Of course she doesn’t, honey,” my mom answered for me, trying to ease my sister out of her wretchedness

I shook my head and looked at her.

“It must be a mistake Kelly, the police will figure it out, don’t worry about it. Your priority has got to be getting better now, okay?” I said, trying to make Kelly less nervous and to get her to focus on her recovery.

“What am I supposed to do now?” Kelly asked irritated. “Am I supposed to sit here and just wait? Does this DA expect me to
lie around quietly, expecting her call? I mean, come on! I’m a patient being when I have to be, but being still, waiting for someone to try to jail me for a crime I didn’t commit, that’s ridiculous!”

As I listened to Kelly’s outburst, I thought she was a very impatient person; patience was missing in our genes, it was a matter of DNA.

“Steven was right with what he said, if these charges are pressed against you, it’s better if you stay in your house so that you avoid showing you’re at flight risk and they don’t take you into custody. Plus, Sammy was right when she said you need to recover from the accident Kelly,” Rod, the reasoning voice, stated.

My mom stared at him with desperate eyes, seeking solace. He gave her a reassuring sympathetic look that eased her a bit. She was still sitting still, tense, worried out of her mind, but Rod was her complement; he was rational and pensive when she was emotional and
spontaneous, so she knew that if he was barely calm under the circumstances, so could she.

“Listen to Rod
, Kelly, I think he’s right. I know I’m not a lawyer and we’ve only known each other for a few days, but from what I’ve gathered, by leaving your house you’ll only manage to have negative attention drawn towards you,” Jared said, but I assumed he was trying to stop Kelly from escaping.

“What if I carried out the interview?” Kelly asked hopeful. “I mean, if Sammy is at my side and she says she knows I’m innocent, I shed a few tears, the right lighting could make my bruises worse, I’ll gain a sympathy vote from the viewers, the gossip shows will promote me as a victim, the news shows will mention my unfair situation, and the DA will be under pressure due to keeping a good image, she’ll have to drop the charges!”

“No, Kelly, if Steven told you not to do it, then you shouldn’t! The whole situation can backfire and the outcome could be much worse!” Rod was starting to get slightly pissed off.

“But what am I supposed to do? Let this Christie woman humiliate me publicly? I have every
right to make my side of the story known!”

“Kelly, shut up for one minute and listen to what we are saying!” I
bellowed; all eyes fell on me. “Everyone is looking out for you; we care about you; we want to see you recover from the injuries you’ve suffered. Kelly, we love you very much and I don’t think you tried to kill me, okay? But you need to lay low now, you can’t risk the public exposition of an interview right now; you don’t want to give the DA more material to bring you down with, do you?”

“It would be better for me! I can get out there through the news and show people I’m the victim of the
whole situation!”

“Fine, you want to participate in the interview? Do it, I’m done trying to help you,” I said as I stood up. “I won’t sit by your side because I think you’re taking an unnecessary risk, and mom, Rod and Jared are pretty much in synch with me, if I’m not mistaken. I have to leave now. Jared?” I
turned to face him.

Hesitant, Jared nodded and stood up. I told Rod to call me if Steven shared any further news and he replied he would. Jared and I left Kelly’s house.

“Where do you want to go to, Sam? Back to your office, your apartment?” Jared asked softly as he drove.

“I’ve got work to do, so either place is okay for me. Do you have to go down to the station or to meet anyone?”

“Not really. I do have to call Aidan, but I can do that from your office or your home, it’s the same.”
“Let’s go to my apartment then, in case we need to leave or something, so that we don’t have to explain ourselves to anyone.”

“Okay, great. By the way, I agree with you regarding Kelly and the interview. Even if I can understand what she means about gaining public sympathy, it’s too much of a risk.”

“She gets so childish, it drives me insane! I mean, Kelly turns into an incredibly stubborn person when she’s convinced an idea will work, she can’t face the possibility of it backfiring. I love her when she’s juvenile due to the fun personality she may have, but then there’s this! I am literally feeling the urge to punch her, and she’s my younger sister. I should feel overprotective of her!” I said, upset; I felt guilty for what I was saying, but it was the truth.

“Try not to freak out Sam; hopefully, the interview will air in a few months or maybe they deem it too dumb and they don’t air it at all. We’ll see what happens tomorrow, okay? Maybe Kelly changes her mind.”

“She won’t, but thanks for trying to calm me.”

“I’m only here to help you Sam.”

“Yes, thanks Jared, I really appreciate it,” I said smiling sadly.

We got home and I headed straight into my study to work on Mark’s manuscript. It was a romantic drama/comedy, and I found it quite lovely. I searched the author
online but found nothing, so it was either a first-timer or a pseudonym. I wondered why Mark had made it a rush and VIP job, but I decided I would ask him the next day, when I went to the office.

After giving myself completely into the manuscript for a couple of hours, I heard a knock on the door. Before I answered, Jared entered carrying a tray with two mugs of delicious coffee and toast with
peanut butter and jelly. I cleared my desk and he sat across me.

“Don’t you want to know why Aidan called me?” Jared asked, faking mystery.

“I’d completely forgotten about that! I had submerged myself into the novel, the call slipped my mind. I pray, do tell Jared,” I beseeched, overacting the agony.

“He said Violet is okay with keeping Kelly in her house, as long as she’s monitored. I reassured Aidan that Kelly wasn’t really at flight risk, but he said the line has to be drawn and she has to be treated like any other suspect. Ben is going through a shitload of evidence; as Aidan had wanted to keep the case as undercover as possible, very few analysts are involved, so Riley is helping Ben out.”

“What about the crime scene unit that had gone to Noel’s? Can’t they help Ben?”

“Aidan doesn’t want to add people to the other investigations unless it’s necessary.”

“Okay, I get it. Did he mention anything about Noel? Will Violet offer a deal or will she destroy him in court?”

“She’ll offer a deal, but a harsh one. As Aidan is still pondering the possibility that Noel may have been an accessory to the murders or that he’s somehow involved in them, he doesn’t want to cut him lose any time soon.”